Introduction
Find A Way: Psychological Services CIC works with children, young people and their families, and with the schools, settings and services that support them. Our work includes educational psychology assessments, Video Interaction Guidance, parenting support and advocacy. Some of the children and adults we work with may be vulnerable because of their age, disability, mental health or circumstances.
We are committed to the welfare, dignity and safety of every child and adult we work with. A child’s welfare always comes first. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone who works with families on our behalf must act straight away on any concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child or adult.
This policy follows the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) and the Care Act 2014, and the safeguarding procedures of the local authority area where we are working.
Safeguarding leads
Recognising abuse and neglect
Children and young people
Forms of abuse and neglect affecting children may include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse, including sexual exploitation
- Neglect
- Domestic abuse, including its effect on children who see or hear it
- Criminal exploitation
- Online abuse
Adults
Forms of abuse affecting adults at risk may include:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional or psychological abuse
- Financial or material abuse
- Neglect and acts of omission
- Sexual abuse
- Discriminatory abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Organisational abuse
- Modern slavery
- Self-neglect
Everyone who works with families on our behalf completes safeguarding training for working with children and adults, and keeps it up to date.
Becoming aware of a safeguarding issue
Concerns may arise through:
- Changes in a child’s or adult’s behaviour or presentation
- Something a child or adult tells us
- Observations, conversations, or a child’s play
- Information from someone else
Responding to concerns
Stage 1
- Listen and remain calm.
- Avoid leading questions.
- Reassure the child or adult that they have done the right thing in telling us.
- Explain that the information must be shared to keep them safe, and never promise to keep it secret.
- Record what was said and seen accurately, using their own words where possible.
- Tell the Designated Safeguarding Officer straight away.
Stage 2
The DSO will assess the concern and, if necessary, refer to:
- Children’s social care in the local authority where the child lives
- Adult social care, for an adult at risk
- The police, if there is immediate risk
We will seek consent to share information, unless seeking it would put a child or adult at greater risk, the adult lacks capacity to decide, or others may be at risk.
Allegations against anyone working with us
An allegation that someone working with us has harmed a child, or may pose a risk to children, will be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within one working day. An allegation about harm to an adult will be referred to the local authority under its Safeguarding Adults Board procedures.
If an allegation concerns the Designated Safeguarding Officer, the Deputy Safeguarding Officer will make the referral.
Safe recruitment
- Everyone who works with children or adults on our behalf has a DBS check appropriate to their role.
- A clear recruitment process including interviews, reference checks, and safeguarding commitment.
- Overseas applicants must provide equivalent checks and additional references.
- Our educational psychologist is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Management and supervision
- Regular supervision includes time for discussing safeguarding and wellbeing.
- Every safeguarding concern is reported to the DSO and recorded.
Recording and confidentiality
- Every concern, and the action taken, is recorded on our safeguarding form.
- All records are kept securely and confidentially.
- Children and adults have the right to confidentiality, unless there is a risk of significant harm to them or to someone else.
Review
- This policy is reviewed every year and approved by our board of directors.
- Everyone who works with families on our behalf receives a copy.
- This version was last updated on 2 November 2026.